Bloomberg - "Home-Price Declines in 20 U.S. Cities Eased in April" (6-30-09)

"Home prices in 20 major U.S. metropolitan areas fell in April at a slower pace than forecast, a sign the plunge in real-estate values is abating. The S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index decreased 18.1 percent from a year earlier following an 18.7 percent drop in March. The measure declined 19 percent in January, the most since the data began in 2001."

Bloomberg - "Delinquencies Double on Least-Risky Mortgages, U.S. Report Says" (6-30-09)

"Prime mortgages 60 days or more past due climbed to 2.9 percent of such loans through March 31 from 1.1 percent at the same point in 2008, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Office of Thrift Supervision said today in a report. First-time foreclosure filings on the loans rose 22 percent from the fourth quarter, the report said."

Orange County Register - "Demand for O.C. homes hits plateau" (6-30-09)

"After rising much of the year … demand, measured as new pending sales in the past month, dropped by 23 in two weeks to 3,629. Demand is +623 vs. year ago. Inventory of homes for sale dropped by 125 homes in two weeks to 9,188 — lowest supply level since February 2006 and down 5,652 in a year."

Inman - "Sorting out real estate data, politics" (6-30-09)

"Strengthen relationships with buyers and sellers and hang on -- the economy will recover. Audit the services you use to ensure they're delivering the value you're paying for in a measureable way. Take advantage of listing syndication to get your listings in front of the largest audience possible online."

Realty Times - "Real Estate Outlook: When Signals are Mixed" (6-30-09)

"Sales of existing houses came in on the upside for May, with a 2.4 percent increase nationally over the month earlier. That's the first consecutive monthly gain in resales in the U.S. since way back in September of 2005."

CNN - "5 steps to a quick home sale" (6-30-09)

"Selling a home in a down market almost inevitably means settling for a disappointing price. But to unload your home fast, you're going to have to dip 10% to 15% below what comparable homes in your neighborhood recently sold for. You still may not be able to compete with foreclosures and short sales, but at least you stand a chance of getting buyers to notice your listing."

CNN - "Beware the reverse-mortgage ripoff" (6-30-09)

"Reverse mortgages, which come with high fees and hefty interest charges, are a costly option and often sold by aggressive salespeople who push inappropriate financial products on vulnerable seniors. That’s why Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) held hearings Monday in St. Louis on reverse mortgages. A year and a half ago, Sen. McCaskill began investigating problems associated with reverse mortgages, including predatory lending, aggressive marketing and the potential risks to the federal government — which insures 90% of reverse mortgage loans. Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan earlier this month said reverse mortgages bear a striking similarity to the risky sub-prime mortgages that got so many Americans in financial hot water. The Federal Housing Administration estimates it may lose $800 million from insuring these loans in the next fiscal year."